How to Make a Crepe Paper Rose

Crepe paper roses are a beautiful addition to a wrapped package, bridal or baby shower decor or florals for a faux cake, and they make an excellent project for pre-teen girls to adults in a craft class. The craft is a process that requires time and patience. The reward is as many pretty crepe paper roses as you want to make.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Crepe paper sheets or streamers in two shades of chosen colors
• Cereal box cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Rloral tape
• 18-inch pieces of florist wire
• Round craft stick, dowel or crochet hook
• Green crepe or tissue paper

Crepe Paper Rose

1. 

   Draw a circle, small heart and larger heart on the cardboard. The circle should measure 1 and 1/4 inches across it's width, small heart,1 and 1/2 inches across and the largest heart can be no wider than the crepe paper streamer width. Use a small container to make the circles if needed. Use the circles for a guide to sketch in the heart. Cut them out. Label the circle "petal 1," the small heart "petal 2S" and the last "3L."

2. 

   Lay the darkest crepe paper out on work surface. Place the petal 1 pattern on paper and trace with pencil two times. Set dark paper aside. Take the lighter hue of the same color and lay out on work surface. Trace six 2S petals and six to eight 3L petals.

3. 

   Cut petals out and place in petal 1, 2S and 3L piles.

4. 

   Take wire and wrap one end with the bottom of a petal 1. Use floral tape to adhere it to the wire.

5. 

   Wrap another petal 1 around the first petal and wire.

6. 

   Pinch the bottom of a petal 2S and wrap that onto the wire.

7. 

   Add more petal 2S's.

8. 

   Lay the rose on the table. Pick up a 3L petal. With your thumb, push the center of the petal until an indentation shows. Pinch bottom and wrap to stem of rose.

9. 

   Take the curling stick and shape the outer edge of the petal. Pick up the rose in progress and add three to five 3L petals until the rose is desired shape and size. Securely wrap with floral tape and continue down the wire for a stem. Tear off tape and set aside. Start the next rose and make as many as you want.

Rosebud

1. 

   Take a petal 1 and wrap it on to a piece of wire with floral tape. Pick up a 2S petal and shape it by indenting the paper with your thumb then curl the edges with the stick. Floral wrap it to the wire.

2. 

   Add one more 2S petal to complete the rose bud. Continue wrapping the stem.

3. Tape stem to the rose stem.

4. Add leaves made from crepe, pre-made silk or satin leaves if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The darker hue of color gives contrast to the center, just as in a real rose.

• This pattern and process will not work with tissue paper.